Suburbia Representing Heteronormativity
Feminist urban planning perspectives point out that the long-standing systems of gender inequality in our society have shaped our built environments today.
Early urban spaces in the 1700s-1800s were designed considering men's needs of travel more than women's need for easily chained local errand visits, because women were expected to stay at home.
Throughout history both cities and the eventually developed suburban communities started to take consideration of women. This "consideration" took shape as shopping centers meant to reinforce "appropriate" gender roles, leaving the women to consume goods that fulfill their roles as caretakers.
As suburban sprawl took over America, in particular single-family housing, many housewives have grown to desire connection. Proximity to family, friends, and social spaces allows caregivers opportunities for mutual aid. Unfortunately, modern zoning rules make multi-family housing and more walkable neighborhoods difficult to achieve. Read more at the links to the right.
The American Housewife can be read as a fantasy element of the suburban dream. A symbol of oppression and the image of consumerism, trapped in an outdated convention, while often known to be left unsatisfied.
NEW JERSEY
RED BANK
As of the 2020 U.S. census the borough of Red Bank in Monmouth County NJ was counted to have 12,936 people with 53% of them being White, 8% Black, 2% Native American, 2% asian, 23% other races, and 12% two or more race. Hispanic or latino of any race were 38% of the population. The economy is comprised mainly of a mix of entertainment, retail, professional, medical, hospitality, and luxury sectors. It is a noted social and commercial destination with boutiques, designer clothing, home stores, parks, restaurants, and special events throughout the year. The borough leans democrat in voting (ex. 2024 election: 62% voted blue and 36% red) but is known for its more economically conservative upper class population.
Queerness & Suburbia
Since suburbia represents heteronormativity, queerness often sits as an antithesis. Still, queers in suburbia exist, taking advantage of the perks of consumerism while diversifying the cookie-cutter social sphere. Compared to many other state's suburban and rural areas, New Jersey is historically fairly liberal, still hate crimes are not completely absent. Within just the first 6th months of 2025, 243 reported bias incidents occurred against the LGBTQ+ community in NJ. Read more about crime against queer people in NJ in the link here:
Metronormativity is "a societal bias toward queer urban imaginings". This term gives a name to the partial phenomenon/stereotype that all queer people flee from rural homes to urban centers. As suburbia and housewives are synonymous with heteronormativity, cities and the urban "degenerates" have been tied in with queerness. As we examine the drawbacks of suburban life on women, it can be helpful to take a look at the internalized biases we have on what queer life might looks like, and be open to "queering the suburbs".
Queering the Suburbs
Feminist urbanism is a theory and social movement concerning the impact of the built environment on women. In opposition to the patriarchal influences on current architecture, this design practice and theory consider women's relations, focusing on mobility and freedom in daily activities.
While an overhaul of the built environments we currently reside in would be a massive undertaking, every step towards it is a positive direction. In the meantime, people of all types are making space for themselves in all environments. This includes queer people sprawling into the suburbs alongside their heteronormative peers.
Our Cul-de-sac Kitchen
Scenic Designer Katie Welker, Asst. Sybil Wang